TLDR
Amid an overwhelming flood of tweets vying for your attention, discovering meaningful content on Twitter can sometimes be challenging. However, with the introduction of Twitter Top Articles, that task has become considerably easier.
In this article we’ll dive into the inner workings of the “Top Articles” feature —shedding light on what it is, and what it does, and suggesting ways you can optimize your content to increase your chances of being more prominently displayed in Twitter’s Top Articles feeds.
So, if you’re eager to seize a larger slice of your followers’ attention, join us, and let’s explore Twitter’s Top Articles together!
Unveiling Twitter Top Articles
What are Twitter Top Articles?
Available exclusively to Twitter Blue subscribers, Twitter’s Top Articles offer a curated list of the most-shared articles in your Twitter network. Accessing the feature is simple: visit your Twitter “Profile” sidebar on the web, or click the “Top Articles” menu in the Twitter mobile app.
Finding Top Articles:
It’s conveniently located in the “Profile” menu, and allows you to explore content posted, shared, and retweeted by people in your Twitter network. Additionally, Top Articles provides you with a glimpse into the content shared by the people your followers follow.
Time Filters:
To customize your Top Articles experience, use the filter button (located in the top right corner of your mobile app), to switch between time periods from 1 to 24 hours. This will allow you to view articles posted in that desired timeframe.
Exploring People They Follow:
Expand your content discovery beyond your immediate network by using the “People they follow” tab. This helps you discover articles connected to your followers, and opens up new avenues of engagement.
Understanding How Twitter Top Articles Work:
Algorithm Overview:
Twitter’s algorithm determines the Top Articles list based on the number of tweets, retweets, and quote tweets they receive. Higher engagement translates to higher rankings in the Top Articles list.
Ordering of Top Articles:
Twitter generates Top Articles listings by analyzing the engagement metrics happening between you, the people you follow, and the people they follow. Stronger relationships and interactions on your content will result in higher rankings and increase the likelihood of your articles being displayed on your followers Top Articles timelines.
Exclusion of Blocked or Muted Accounts:
Accounts you block or mute won’t appear in the Top Articles feed, ensuring a more personalized and relevant content experience.
The Impact and Controversy of Twitter Blue:
Twitter’s decision to limit the availability of the Top Articles feature to only Twitter Blue subscribers has sparked anger among some users, with critics arguing that features like article discovery should be accessible to all without a paywall.
However, despite the backlash, Musk has proceeded with his efforts to make Twitter profitable. As a result, certain core aspects of the Twitter experience are now paid features for the first time.
The change has frustrated users who believe it is harming the overall app experience, while satisfying those who feel Twitter had previously become less inclusive of certain viewpoints.
Furthermore, Musk’s decision to democratize access to Twitter’s blue checkmark was seen as significant blow to the Twitter old guard, who had obtained their verifications under the previous system. Although not well-received by all, the introduction of Twitter Blue clearly aligns with the company’s new commitment to a more egalitarian system.
Regardless of the ongoing paywall debate, it is difficult to deny the value of Twitter Blue and the Top Articles feature. When used effectively, it can greatly enhance discoverability and increase your profiles visibility within your network.
Harnessing the Power of Twitter Top Articles
Maximising Engagement
Now let’s look at a few immediately beneficial things you can do to increase your engagement and maximize your content’s chances of being featured on Twitter’s Top Articles:
- Create Compelling Headlines: The Gateway to Clicks!
It’s one of the oldest tricks in the old media playbook and it’s just as effective today as it was a hundred years ago! Well-crafted, attention-grabbing headlines are far more likely to get clicked. If you need tips on how to improve your own headlines, why not check out this article for some good advice.
- Spark Action with Questions & Polls
Don’t be a silent observer —polls and questions ignite conversation. So ask thought-provoking questions, run polls, and encourage your audience to participate.
- Make it Pop: Use Images and Visuals!
Don’t just rely on text—make your tweets visually appealing. Embrace the power of visual content. If you don’t have image creation skills, employ the power of a free AI text-to-image tool. It’s easy to turn yourself into a visual designer these days!
- Ride the Wave: Use Trending Topics and Hashtags
Stay on top of trending topics and hashtags, and find creative ways to align your conversations with those already buzzing. Relevance is a critical factor in increasing your engagement, so stay ahead of the curve.
- Schedule Your Tweets Strategically
There are certain times when more of your audience is online, so it’s a good idea to post your content during this period. To get an understanding of when the best times to post on Twitter are, read this helpful post.
- Understand Your metrics:
Understanding your metrics will empower you to tailor content to your audience and refine your strategy. With TwitterAudit, you can gain valuable insights into both your Twitter performance and audience engagement. With eh right tools it’s easier than ever to optimize your content and elevate your Twitter presence.
These simple practices will ensure your content attracts attention and will increase the chance of it being listed in Twitter’s Top Articles. This in turn will expose your content to a wider audience and boost your business and brand, which let’s face it, is the whole point of the exercise! 🙂
Conclusion:
Twitter Top Articles can significantly improve the chances of your content being discovered on the platform. Used wisely it can enahance your content strategy and boost your engagement, all while letting you stay up-to-date with trending news and articles in your own network niche.
By crafting content with Twitter Articles in mind, you can reach more people, amplify your voice, and build your brand on Twitter.
TwitterAudit can be a trusty companion on that journey, allowing you to unlock deeper insights into your metrics, optimize and fine-tune your performance, and ensure your content reaches its full potential.
So, why not give it a try and elevate your Twitter presence today. See you up there!